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Cllr. GREG ROSE
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Councillor Greg Rose
Title: Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Party: Conservative
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Dear Councillor Rose,
As a member of a council responsible for a great many historic towns and villages, and also caretaker of the public purse, could we ask you to be especially vigilant against maladministration within the Wealden District Council.
Maladministration is where a local authority fails to carry out the function that it was created to perform. The reason we mention this is because of the appalling history of planning enforcement appeals that were forced on members of the public - and never should have been sanctioned in the first place. That was the reason for the creation of this website and formation of the Wealden Action Group.
Obviously, we want to do our best to keep your council on the straight and narrow - and the way to do this is to monitor your progress and where applicable, lobby members, MPs and the media, pointing our potential pitfalls, so helping your council to avoid administrative errors. We thus contribute to council efficiency.
One of the most important functions that a council is charged with, is to provide a rolling stock of land for affordable housing. The fact that most councils are not doing so, is a major problem that is making the next generations financial slaves. The UK has an unenviable history of human rights abuses, beginning with the invention of concentration camps.
While (empire) building mansions might make a lot of bankers and landlords very happy; it is fair? We were under the impression that Britain was aiming to be at 1990 carbon levels by 2050. That goal relies on sustainable practices and sustainability equals affordability. Huge profits for some and slavery for others is not zero carbon friendly.
Building expensive homes, where we cannot house low wage earners, is economic lunacy and un-sustainable. This is elitist politics, rather than an equal opportunities bedrock - that should prevail in the interests of democracy. The new goal is a Circular Economy.
These are particularly difficult times, where public funding is under scrutiny against overspending, but such international issues as global warming should still be targeted for attention. We would then expect grants of planning permission for houses that are both affordable and zero carbon - to reduce global warming - and that means smaller houses with a proportionally smaller carbon footprint.
A workable formula for such housing is clear. Sweden and Germany lead with flatpack and other low energy housing - that is affordable, being in the £25-70,000 range. Young families could afford to buy such houses, provided that councils earmark land for affordable development.
What we don't want is agricultural land suddenly going from £5,000 an acre to £1,000,000 - simply because a council failed to identify land for affordable housing. The moment land is allowed to escalate in value, houses are no longer affordable.
Could we suggest that land that is identified as suitable (necessary) for affordable housing, should only be granted consent for genuinely affordable homes. That might put a stop to the Klondike planning stampede that has opened up as a result of council sloth.
Once land is earmarked for affordable developments, Community Land Trusts could build houses for letting at sensible rents - but once again, they need land that is identified as being for affordable housing.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message and we look forward to seeing many sustainable decisions in the future and perhaps hearing your views on such proposals, when you have a spare moment.
Yours sincerely
Horse Sanctuary Trust UK (an equal opportunities organisation)
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CLIMATE CHANGE
Then along came the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006, followed by the Climate Change Act 2008. These Acts demand that Wealden put in place a workable plan and encourage development of sustainable housing and transport. These Acts are in response to United Nations targets to fend off a global catastrophe.
A workable plan involves making sure that houses, transport and workplaces in the Wealden area reduce their carbon footprint by 3% a year to get back past 1990 levels for an 80% reduction by the year 2050.
If we assume that the houses in 1990 have not increased their energy requirement, then we need to work out how many new houses have been built since 1990 - and how many more will be built by 2050 - then add them together to know what the increase in CO2 is that we are looking to cancel out. Unfortunately, Wealden have been handing our consents since 2008 for properties that are not energy sustainable and those that are likely to be built in the future will also be substandard in energy terms.
It pretty soon becomes clear that new-builds will have to be virtually zero carbon and existing houses and factories should aim to reduce energy consumption to give us some slack. Houses that are energy self-sufficient will not look like the houses Wealden's planners are used to approving for another old=boys-act slap on the back. Buildings that are modified to harvest solar energy will change in appearance somewhat - but this is typically permitted development - and if it is not the above Acts tend to support what is or will be necessary to improve existing stocks in line with a workable plan.
NEW BUILD SOLAR HOUSE - The light-filled Home For Life dwelling is a striking contemporary home completed as one of eight experimental Active Houses financed by FKR Holding. The 2,045-square-foot two-bedroom house is filled with natural light and strategically placed to take in 50% of its winter heating from passive solar means. The ultra-efficient home includes a photovoltaic system, solar hot water system, heat pump, energy optimized windows, and an automatic natural ventilation system. It is easy to point a new build in the right direction to capture passive heat. it is not so easy with an existing building such as the industrial building below.
GENERATING WORKS HERSTMONCEUX - This pergola is actually a mount for a bank of solar panels that will generate clean electricity for the old generating buildings, along with water heaters and a wind turbine aiming for self-sufficiency in energy terms. The solar panels are designed to move to track the sun. Using wood like this costs a bit more but it is in keeping with the wooden theme for the rural scene and does not harm the archaeology. Glass area is increased where possible to capture passive heat and an underground chamber is being modified to store hot water for heating and washing. The original shell is improved with insulation in the roofs and walls, by way of over cladding for an extra layer of comfort. The occupiers use an electric car, that eventually, could be charged from on-site solar panels. In this way this historic asset uses considerably less energy than it did in 1990 and is heading towards zero carbon status. The problem with such conversions is that town planners do not recognise the benefits they are looking at, when they should be encouraging such efforts.
Future homes could make electricity bills a thing of the past, and even help you earn money in the process. Energy homes are popping up around the world, generating more energy than they use, and can even be set up to sell excess energy back to the grid. Beautiful, energy efficient, and increasingly affordable, these dwellings are proving the viability of renewable energy over fossil fuel sources.
FLUSHED WITH SUCCESS - We imagine that Wealden would have been overjoyed in duping the High Court into making an Order that demanded removal of toilet facilities from their long-term adversary's home, condemning him to defecate in the old fashioned way - and remarkable is it not how well an animal can adapt and build from sheer determination until it is time to reveal the truth and his gleaming new urinals. The building has toilets re-fitted of course thanks to Dame Butler-Sloss and the occupiers rejoice with each pull of the handle, at the resourcefulness of this underdog when the chips were down. The frivolity at Wealden's offices was short lived when the Health & Safety Executive chimed in to spend a penny or two. From that point on Wealden have been bogged down with the publication of what they had done - and permanent skidmarks in the underpants of their hall of shame. No amount of toilet tissue can ever wipe the brown from this council's back passages.
Don't forget your Council's appalling Human Rights record. The above story is true and fairly recent. If your officers don't start to behave themselves, you, the members will have to potty-train them. They must start telling the truth to committees and doing something about the tragedy that is climate change. If you sort that out for us, we'll take care of feeding the world.
POTTY TRAINING - Using a potty may be a new skill for your planning team to learn. It's best to take it slowly and go at your candidates pace, about the same pace as a child should do the trick. Being patient with them will help them get it right, even if they sometimes feel frustrated. They should be taught that every person is entitled to a toilet no matter how much their team are out to get any challenging member of the public - and yes we know how irritating it is to be caught out - and yes of course that makes you hate that member of the public more - so that you try another dirty trick. So, if you are going to plan a vendetta, be sure that you don't get caught with your trousers down. Bury your target good and proper - or he or she may come back to haunt you with the inconvenient truth and reveal what you did and why you did it.
If having read this you still feel the urge to authorize the officers to go after Mr Kruschandl, you are probably not suitable material for continued council membership - because you have been influenced emotionally by having been beaten and no longer capable of reasonable case handling. A good Councillor acts impartially and fairly, taking into account all of the duties imposed by statute - in accordance with their Code of Conduct.
WEALDEN'S AREA PLANS SOUTH COMMITTEE 2015
Andrew Long - (no email address)
David White - cllr.david.white@wealden.gov.uk
Diane Dear - cllr.dianne.dear@wealden.gov.uk
Charles Peck - cllr.charles.peck@wealden.gov.uk
Chris Hardy - cllr.chris.hardy@wealden.gov.uk
Chris Triandafyllou - cllr.chriss.triandafyllou@wealden.gov.uk
Daniel Shing - daniel.shing@wealden.gov.uk
Dick Angel - cllr.dick.angel@wealden.gov.uk
Barby Dashwood-Morris - cllr.barby.dashwood-morris@wealden.gov.uk
Barry Marlowe - cllr.barry.marlowe@wealden.gov.uk
Bill Bentley - cllr.bill.bentley@eastsussex.gov.uk
John Blake - cllr.john.blake@wealden.gov.uk
Lin Clark - cllr.lin.clark@wealden.gov.uk
Nigel Coltman - cllr.nigel.coltman@wealden.gov.uk
Nigel McKeeman - cllr.nigel.mckeeman@wealden.gov.uk
Raymond Cade - cllr.raymond.cade@wealden.gov.uk
Ron Cussons - cllr.ron.cussons@wealden.gov.uk
Stephen Harms - cllr.steve.harms@wealden.gov.uk
Stephen Shing - cllr.stephen.shing@wealden.gov.uk
Susan Stedman - cllr.susan.stedman@wealden.gov.uk
LOCAL NEWSPAPER CONTACTS
Sussex
Express - sussex.express@jpress.co.uk
amie.morrell@jpress.co.uk
Eastbourne Herald - eastbourne.herald@jpress.co.uk
The Argus - lucy.pearce@theargus.co.uk
emily.walker@theargus.co.uk
THE 70 HOUSE FORMULA - In 2015, Councillor Peck will be called to look at a major proposal for 70 houses on a site considered by many to be unsuitable, witness the signs posted all about the village. Up and down the country there are dozens of similar applications going in, taking advantage of a windfall situation - or a loophole in the law if you'd prefer. This loophole must be plugged, perhaps with a windfall tax where sites have long been deemed unsuitable - according to local policies.
The 70 house formula is favored by many planning agents in this case: Barton Willmore. info@bartonwillmore.co.uk 7 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QB. Barton Willmore http://www.bartonwillmore.co.uk/ T: 020 7446 6888 F: 020 7446 6889
Since councils stopped building affordable housing for the common man, it has fallen to property developers to slash their profits - which of course they are not willing to do. And that is why they are receiving huge bribes, in the form of permission to build where previously they would not be allowed. It is a national scandal, not just a Wealden phenomenon. It is though a practice that left unchecked makes houses even harder to aspire to, for youngsters starting out in life - making a new generation of Britain's slaves to the wealthy and financiers. The only difference is that you cannot see the whips and chains.
The site plan for a planning application at Herstmonceux that will be practically another village in size. Ignoring for now the access and drainage problems, and the lack of local school (infrastructure) places for so many, the con is that the so-called "affordable" housing, will not be affordable. To qualify as affordable, a working man should be able to afford to buy the house on a mortgage not more than 4 times his salary. The "affordable" tag is thus reliant on local wages, if the object is to cater for locals who work locally. That is a sustainable practice. What we do not want is houses that are affordable for Londoners who commute to the City to earn salaries many times that it is possible to achieve within a sensible travel radius.
Let us hope that the officers of this council are able to stay on track, without introducing discrimination or character issues into the fray. The matter should be decided on National Planning policies and the adopted plans that have held sway for years, with exceptions only in respect of agriculture or genuine social issues. Tourism and heritage issues must be dealt with, also as part of the National Planning Framework. Conservation and economic experts should have their say, especially concerning long-term conservation as it benefits the nation as a whole in the long term.
WANTED: A SENSIBLE POLITICAL PARTY WITH THE GUTS TO CLAMP DOWN ON FINANCIAL SLAVERY - Average house prices in London are now far beyond even bankers and others on £100,000-a-year salaries. This is a pattern that is being repeated in the countryside - and is sure to lead to political unrest, where the needs of the people are not being addressed. Put simply, successive governments that were mainly concerned to get re-elected, have been borrowing to maintain the illusion that under their leadership things were better, than with the competition. It's political fraud - plain and simple.
COUNCILLORS SERVING IN 2017 INTO 2018
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Heathfield Nth & Cenrl - Cons
Pevensey and Westham - Cons
Hailsham South and West - Cons
Heathfield East - Cons
Pevensey and Westham - Cons Deputy Chairman Standards
Hailsham Central & North - Cons Portfolio Community Leadership Human Resources
Hailsham Central and North - Cons Chairman of Licensing
Pevensey and Westham - Cons Dep Chair of Planning South
Rotherfield - Conservative Dep Chair of Audit Finance
Ninfield & Hooe with Wartling Conservative - Vice-Chairman
Uckfield Central - Cons Dep Ldr Public Health Safety
Heathfield North & Central - Conservative
Alfriston - Conservative
Uckfield New Town - Cons
Cross-in-Hand/ Five Ashes - Conservative
Danehill/ Fletching/ Nutley - Cons Portfolio Economic Dev & Waste Man
Hailsham South and West - Cons
Hartfield - Cons- Chairman
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Crowborough West - Cons
Forest Row - Conservative
Frant/ Withyham - Cons Ch Planning North
Buxted & Maresfield - Cons
Crowborough Jarvis Brook - Independent
Herstmonceux - Cons
Buxted & Maresfield - Cons
Crowborough East - Cons
Uckfield Ridgewood - Cons Dep Ch Licensing
Forest Row - Conservative
Crowborough St Johns - Cons Dep Chair Overview & Scrutiny
Willingdon - Conservative
Framfield - Cons Portfolio Planning & Dev
Hailsham East - Conservative
Hellingly - Conservative
Mayfield - Conservative Chairman of Standards Committee
Crowborough North - Conservative
Uckfield North - Cons
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Crowborough East - Cons Chair Overview & Scrutiny
Danehill/ Fletching/ Nutley - Cons Chairman Audit Finance
Frant/ Withyham - Cons
Polegate South - Ind Democrat
Polegate North - Ind Democrat
Willingdon - Independent Democrat
Willingdon - Independent Democrat
Polegate North - Conservative
Wadhurst - Conservative Leader of the Council
Horam - Conservative Chair Planning South
Heathfield North & Central - Cons
Crowborough West - Cons
Hailsham South and West - Cons
Uckfield North - Cons
Crowborough North - Cons Dep Chair Planning North
Chiddingly & East Hoathly - Cons
Wadhurst - Cons Portfolio Housing & Benefits
Hellingly - Independent
East Dean - Conservative |
Dick Angel - Jo Bentley - John Blake - Bob Bowdler - Don Broadbent - Norman Buck - Raymond Cade - John Carvey - Valerie Chidson
Lin Clark - Nicholas Collinson - Nigel Coltman - Ronald Cussons - Barby Dashwood-Morris - Dianne Dear - Phil Dixon - Pam Doodes
Claire Dowling - Jan Dunk - Louise Eastwood - Philip Ede - Helen Firth - Jonica Fox - Roy Galley - Jack Gore - Richard Grocock
Chris Hardy - Steve Harms - Jim Hollins - Peter Holloway - Johanna Howell - Brian Hubbard - Toby Illingworth - Stephen Isted
Brian Jarman - David Larkin - Andy Long - Michael Lunn - Barry Marlowe - Nigel McKeeman - Huw Merriman - Rowena Moore - Kay Moss
Douglas Murray - Ann Newton - The Lord Newton - Ken Ogden - Amanda O'Rawe - Charles R Peck - Diane Phillips - Mark Pinkney
Eddie Powell - Major Antony Quin RM - Ronald Reed - Dr. Brian Redman - Carol Reynolds - Greg Rose - Peter Roundell
William Rutherford - Daniel Shing - Oi Lin Shing - Raymond Shing - Stephen Shing - Robert Standley - Susan Stedman - Bill Tooley
Jeanette Towey - Stuart Towner - Chriss Triandafyllou - Peter Waldock - Neil Waller - David Watts - Mark Weaver - Graham Wells
Brian West - David White - John Wilton
THIS SITE CONTAINS EXAMPLES OF WEALDEN D C'S UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOUR - With thanks to Action Groups across the country for the supply of real case history and supporting documents. *THAT THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW*
Vicarage Lane, Hailsham,
East Sussex, BN27 2AX T: 01323 443322
Pine Grove, Crowborough, East
Sussex, TN6 1DH T: 01892
653311
This site is free of © Copyright except where specifically stated. Any person may download, use and quote any reference or any link, and is guaranteed such right to freedom of information and speech under the Human Rights and Freedom of Information Acts. However, be aware that we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the information provided. All users should therefore research matters for themselves and seek their own legal advice and this information is provided simply by way of a guide. Horse Sanctuary Trust UK.